I could have made a Mark with Arsenal

There’s no hidden message. Everyone knew my position on the whole matter.

Mark Schwarzer

At the age of 38, Aussie Mark Schwarzer wanted a crack at the big time when Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger saw him as the ideal replacement to Jens Lehmann and made a £3million offer. [>

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It led to a series of arguments from both sides, with Schwarzer threatening to quit the game until all parties moved on. [>

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But now, on the eve of Fulham’s match with Liverpool, Schwarzer said: “Obviously the clubs did not agree and that’s the closest we got. There’s no hidden message. Everyone knew my position on the whole matter. [>

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“As a player, a professional, you always want to try to play at the highest level and try to better yourself. I still have the hunger and desire to do that and you want to try to explore those avenues. It was only natural, I think. [>

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“There was never any disrespect to Fulham because from day one my family and I have always felt unbelievably welcome. We have loved every minute here. [>

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“If it had been anyone else than a team in the top three in the country, I would not have been interested. There was a chance of Champions League football.” [>